Paulina RubioAccused of BEATING Male Assistant

11/1/2012 12:00 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

EXCLUSIVE

1:40 PM PT -- Paulina's lawyer has released a statement ... RIPPING Felipe as an incompetent drunk whose allegations are "the subject of fantasy and make believe."

The statement reads, "The moment after being fired and eventually recovering from his inebriation Mr. Restrepo ran to an attorney who was representing another individual in a meritless lawsuit previously filed against Ms. Rubio's company Link Tours, Inc."

"Incredibly, Mr. Restrepo has concocted a fable about being beaten by a woman half his size."

Team Rubio continues, "Notably absent from this entire story is any reference that this 'beating and humiliation' was documented or observed by anyone on the flight."

Rubio's attorney also vows to file their own lawsuit against Felipe for breaching his confidentiality agreement.

Paulina Rubio beat the living crap out of her personal assistant ... who happens to be a guy ... all because the singer had to sit in COACH on a flight to Mexico ... this according to a lawsuit obtained by TMZ.

The alleged victim is Felipe Restrepo Betancur -- who claims he worked for Rubio from August until just a few days ago ... when Paulina allegedly FLIPPED OUT at a Miami airport.

According to Felipe's lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, Rubio missed her plane from Miami to Mexico last weekend ... and put Felipe in charge of getting her on the next flight out.

Felipe claims there were no 1st Class seats remaining on the next flight ... and when he told Paulina she would have to sit in coach, she got really pissed off ... and took it out on him.

In his suit, Felipe claims Paulina got incredibly violent toward him once they boarded the plane ... unleashing a flurry of punches, kicks and even slaps. He claims she also pelted him with various objects.

Felipe claims he suffered serious injuries from her attack -- including abrasions and contusions on his shins and arms. He also claims he suffered emotional damage.

Felipe says he quit his job as soon as they returned to Miami ... and now wants Paulina to fork over more than $250k to make things right.

It's not the first time Paulina has been accused of having a short temper -- she was arrested last year after allegedly getting into a screaming match with police in Florida.